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Co-Founder of U.K. Self-Storage Operator Big Yellow to Retire

Philip Burks, who co-founded U.K. self-storage operator Big Yellow in 1998, will retire from his current role as non-executive director during the company’s annual general meeting on July 19. He will be replaced by Georgina Harvey, who will serve as an independent non-executive director and have a seat on the company's audit, remuneration and nomination committees.

"Philip and I started work together in 1986 and have been in partnership now for over 25 years. It has been the best of partnerships,” said Nicholas Vetch, executive chairman of Big Yellow Group PLC. “Without Philip's property skills and tenacity, Big Yellow could not have achieved a fraction of its successes. The board joins me in wishing him the best for the future.”

Harvey previously served as managing director, regionals division, for British newspaper publisher Trinity Mirror from 2005 to 2012, overseeing its transition to a digital platform. She started her media career at Express Newspapers PLC, where she was appointed advertising director in 1994. She is currently non-executive director of William Hill PLC, a U.K. bookmaker providing gaming and betting products across multiple channels, including retail, online and mobile devices.

“We are delighted to welcome Georgina to the board. She brings extensive and diverse experience from the worlds of media, retail and leisure,” Vetch said. “As Big Yellow's fortunes and successes increasingly lie with the Internet, her experience will be of great value."

Big Yellow Group PLC operates 66 self-storage locations in the United Kingdom under the Big Yellow Self Storage brand name, with most concentrated in Greater London. The portfolio comprises 4.2 million square feet.